Chapel tent



July 4, 1950 Filed Apg. 20, 1948 C. W. LEMEN CHAPEL TENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES N LEMEN vell v glr ATTGRNEYS y 1950 c. w. LEMEN 2,513,729

CHAPEL TENT Filed Aug. 20, 1948 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOE CHARLES W. LEMEN m ,E TMAM ATTORNEYS y 1950 c. w. LEMEN 2,513,729

CHAPEL TENT Filed Aug. 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 1950 c. w. LEMEN 2,513,729

' CHAPEL TENT Filed Aug. 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVINTOR CMELES W. LEMEN 071g f 7 g ATTORNEYS Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHAPEL 'lE-N'D CharlesW. Lemon, Springfield,v 011 5,. assignor to The Springfield- Tent & Awning'Go Springfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August '20, 1948, Serial No. 45,344

The present invention has to do with chapel tents such as are employed for the purpose of sheltering a grave and the area. immediately therearound during burial services, and is concerned primarily with a chapel tentchaving novel structural characteristio's .afiording decidedly advantageous results.

At the present time the use of chapel tents in cemeteries throughout the country is widespread. Such atent is ,a structure that is essentially temporary in character. It is ordinarily placed over a grave after thelatterhas been dug and is designed not only to shelter .the minister or other party conducting the burial services, but also the people attending .such services. Thetents are usually removed a short time subsequent to the lowering of the coffin. 1

As above explained, there are nowchapel tents of this character in use. However, as such a tent must have afairly large expanse, it has been necessary to employ more-than four corner stanchions in supporting the roof of the tent. In the case-of a tent of rectangular formation with a longitudinal dimension-greater than the width of the tent, it is generally necessary to employ an intermediate stanchion or support along each side between the corners.

Under practical conditions this is a decided disadvantage because very often the cemetery will include shrubbery or bushes around the side of the grave which will interfere with proper I positioning of the stanchions.

With this condition in mind the present invention has in view as its foremost objective the provision of a chapel tent of the type indicated,

which includes a roof structure which is suflif; egnaipsed [formationciently rigid and strong so that it may be =ade-'- quately su-pportedby only a stanchion-located at each corner. Y 7

Another primary object of the invention is the provision of a chapel tent of the type indicated 4G1aim5- ((31.135-4) v a of an arch at each end vand each of which trusses comprises'tvvq sections hingedly connected together. The midpoints of these end arch trusses are joined by a central peak truss that extends longitudinally of the structure and which also consists of two parts hinged-1y connected."

' In addition there is a truss at each side, each end of which is connected to the respective end of the arch truss, and each of these side trusses is of two sections hingedly joined together.

A highly important object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved type of detachable connection between one end of the central truss and the hinged joint of the arch truss to which it is connected. This connection is tied up with the hinged connection between the sections of the arch truss, so

connection of the peak truss, respectively.

which includes a roof structure ofsubstantial construction which is readily adapted to being assembled and dismantled as occasion demands, and which may be folded into a compact formation. a a I Yet Janet-her object of the invention is the provision of a chapel tent ofithe type noted which has a roof structure of an arched formation so as to give the effect Orincreased 'height and spaciousness at eachfend "and vs rhich also affords These stretcherscarry means at their respective ends which are effective to cooperate with therespective hinged connections so as to render the hinges inoperative and impart rigidity'toeach truss to which it is connected.

It is evident-the roof "structure must be supported at an appropriate height from the stanchions and, as above explained, the entire structure must be susceptible of being'folded into a Thus, another object of the inventiori'is to' provide a roof structure of the type indicated which includes a'pivotal connection for a scanchion at each corner. Another correlated objective is to provide detachable means for'bracing each stanchion in its erected "position.

Under clement weather conditions there is'no particular problem in anchoring the tootof each stanchion inposition in the ground. "However,

the pitch wh-ich is necessary for drainage purnoses r p I p In carrying out theabove noted ideas in apractic,a;1-embodi ment, a roof structure is provided which ponsists essentially era truss in'the form the very purpose of a chapel tentis to provide shelter during inclement weather, and "at such times very high winds often develop, and it has in the past-been necessary to employ guy ropes, stays, and other devices for bracing and sup porting the tentin'position.

In accordance with the present invention new and improved means is employedto 'providea firm anchorage between the base'of ea'ch' stanchion and the ground. Thus, a further object is After the stake is driven a wrench is employed to rotate it substantially 90 degrees, whereupon the webs will no longer have accessto the chem-- nels in the ground formed by their being driven.

This stake is also formed with a series of spaced openings and a pin is passed through an opening so as to engage the top face of the plate" that is attached to the stanchion, thereby a firm 1 anchorage for each of the stanchions is provided. V

Yet another is the provision of a new and improved tool designed for use in positioning the stake and pulling the samefrom thev ground. This tool carries a wrench at one end and a ring slidable therealong, the ring carrying hook elements designed to engage the pin in the stake so that pressure may be applied to withdraw the stake under conditions of varying mechanical advantage. 7

Various other more detailed objects and advantages-of the invention such as arise incanrying out the above noted-ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of i the invention proceeds.

The invention, therefore, comprises a chapel tent 'which' includes a roof structure consisting of sectional end arch trusses, sectional peak and side trusses; and central stretchers, there being a hinged connection between the sectional parts of each element and an interlock with thishinged connection and an element joined thereto so as to prevent movement of the-hinge and thus im- 1 part rigidity to the structure.- g

A stanchion-is-employe'd at each of the four corners only andis pivotally connected at its upper end to the roof structure, with provision being-made to brace the stanchion in erected position. "New and improved means for anchor-'- ing each corner of .thestanchiori to the ground is provided inthe form of a 'novel' stake and associated devicesj For a full andmorecom lete understanding of the invention reference'may be had to the following description and ingswher'ein: i i J" FigureJ'I is a perspective view of a chapel'tent accompanying drawe which is' designed'in accordance 'with the'pre cepts of this invention and which shows the canopy coverings-the roof structure in position and two sidewalls o'f. canvas-applied in position;

Figure 2 is another perspectivewith-the can'- the arch showing the Figure 7 is a view in side elevation of one of the side trusses;

Figure 8 is a perspective showing the side truss of Figure 7 in a partially folded condition;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of one of the stretchers; I

Figure 10 'is stretcher;

Figure 11 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the joint at the middle of the peak truss between the stretchers at each side thereof.

Figure 12 is an enlarged view in side elevation of one of the hinges;

Figure 13 ise. side view with parts broken away and shown in section and other parts in dotted "a similar v e 'the other lines of the connection shown in Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a detailed perspective of a corner bringing out the manner in which each stanchion is braced; T

I Figure 15 is a detailed perspective showing the manner in which the stake removing tool is employed to withdraw a stake;

Figure 16 is a detailed perspective of one of the stakes; and 1 v Figure 1'7 is a detailed perspective showing .one hinge and. U-shaped plate that cooperates-theme with in eiiploded'relation. i

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspo-ndingparts,

and first more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, a chapel tent, such as is designed in accordance with'the teachings of this invention, is therein illustrated and is shown as comprising essentially a=roof structure which is identified in its entirety by the reference character R, and over which is positioned a canopy designated C. I

l-This roof structure R. is supported in its'erected position by four stanchions Hi, there being one stanchion located at each corner. In addition to the canopy C one or more of theside walls may be coveredby a fabric wall. As-shown in Figure 1 two of the wall spaces .are covered by the walls W and: WI, this being a common practice in the use of chapel tents, and these walls are provided on the proper." sides to protect the occupants against thewindev coming from that direction.v Obviously, thesewallsr'could be entirely eliminatedyor may be applied toall four of the wall Theroof structure is madeup of certain truss elements which are detachably joined together and 'eachof which is adapted to be folded into a 'compactyformation. ;These elements will now be described.

Referring more particularly to Figures 3, 4, and Sean 'e'ndarch truss is therein; depicted andis referred to in itsentirety by the reference character A. The truss A comprises twosections H and I2 whichyare substantial duplicates. I-Ience, theco'nstruction of only one ofthese sections will be'r'describedin-detailfor'the purposes of this specificationsfl-vt .E2;Ch';0f'theSe sections] and I2 is-shown-as comprising-a bottom rod l 3,which has connected thereto at one end an angle iron H! (see Figure 6 -,;the-tconnection ibeing effected in any preferredmanner-,such-as by welding. v I he -angletbetween the angle iron l4 and rod I3 is somewhat greater than degrees, so that withthe angle/iron assuming avertical position, the bottom rod- .13 will beinclined with respect to the horizontal as shown in the drawings. A ;t.Op rodl5 has one-end connected to the angle iron-Akin any preferred manner,-such as .by

welding,'-;a nd-;theother end. of the top bar, [Sis curved to provide a bent portion l6 and a de- In- 'erected' position this roof. structure JR :com prises rtwo of the arch trussesh, two :of the. side trusses S, and the peak truss 1?, together with thes'tretchers 44 and 41.. w

Each of the "trusses .A comprises two sections which-may be folded together whentheroof is disassembled. This is also true of each'zof-the other trusses. The two sections of ;.eacl1 *tr.uss are joined together by oneof the hinges and there is a 'U-shaped plate 21 at every Joint where trusses: :meet or the stretchers are connected thereto. I

.Referring now more particularly to Figure 14, it willbe' noted that the upper end of each stanchionilfl is braced by the diagonal braces 48 and 49. The lower end of each brace 4.8 and 4.9 is pivotally and permanently secured" to the stanchion 40 .by the pivotal connections shown at fl'and 5 respectively.

Theupperend of the brace 48 is-adaptedtobe detachably secured to the bottom rod 39 of one of the side trusses by a joint comprising a recess 52.formed in the end of the brace'48. This recess 52 receivesapin 53 carried by-the bar 39 and a detent=54 is pivotally mounted on this bar 3-9 and isxadarited to'be swung in position, :preventing withdrawal of the brace from the pin -53.= The same type of detachable connection is employed between the freeend of the brace 49 and one of the bottom bars 130i the'arch truss A.

-With the braces 48 and 49 in effective position, the stanchion l0 can not be swung on its pivot 29. However, .withthe detachable connections of the braces 48 and broken, 'thesestanchions' HI may be folded up into the position shown in Figure .4. i

Referring snow-more particularly to Figures and 16, the lower. endof each stanchion 10 is shown as carrying a foot 55 fin'the' form of .a flat plate'and each of these feet 55 is :provided with an oval opening 56. 0. I

.14 stake is shown at '51 in Figure 16 and this stake has aepointat' 58 which is to be driven into the ground :and a'drivingsend-at 59. Spacedsfrom the driving end 59 is a fiat portion '60, for a purpose later to be described.

The stake '51 has a plurality of openings 6| formed at spaced intervals therein. The stake 51 also carries two pairs of webs 62 in spaced relation, with the'webs of each pair being substantially diametrically opposed.

Referring again :for themoment more particularly to Figure 15, a stake tool is designated at 53 and is formed at one end with a wrench 64. The other :end carries a head 65 which .prevents withdrawal 'of arin'g 66 that is'slid'able alongthe rod which makes up the main bodyiof the tool 63. A hook 61 is pivotally secured to the ring G6 by a loop .68. A pin :whichis adaptedto pass through any of the openings 6| in "the: stake is shown. at 69.

In erecting the chapel'tent of'this invention in position the roof structure It is first assembled on the ground with the s'tanchions 10 in the folded position depicted in Figure 4. i

'The'canopy C is then applied thereover'and the 'roof is raised, it generally requiring twomen to perform this operation. As the roof is raised the stanchions 'ILB swing out-of into their vertical upright positions about the pivots 29, and after this vertical position has been assumed the feet 55 will rest on the ground.

A stake r51 isnow positioned in a-r'ecess 55 with the webs 62 assuming a'position 'soithat they may bezdrivienv through therovalrecess. '.The stake is driven amequireddistance into the ground, after;- which the tool 153 is availed of, so that the-wrench 6'4'engagesthe flat :610 of the stake, and the stake is turned substantially degrees. In this position .the openings 6| are transverse of the oval shaped recess 55. One of the pins 69 is now inserted through the opening 6-! which is closest to the plate" 55' and thereby prevents the foot moving upwardly and securely anchoring it in said position. This operation is repeated for each of thefour stanchions.

Itis evident that aseach stake 51 is driven th web :62 *will form channels in the ground. How-- ever, after rotation through 90 degrees there will beno channel openings onto the web and improved anchorage effects are provided.

When one of these chapel "tents is to be dismantled each-of the *stakes 5'1 is first pulled, by use of :the tool 63. In thisoperation the hook 61' isxplaoed beneaththe ends of the pin 69,as shown inFigure 15, and. one end of the tool 63 engages the ground." The tool is now used as a leverto pull the stake, and as the stake is workedloose, the tool 63*niay berslid through the ring 6.5 to

- change the conditions .of' mechanical advantage and thus permitsquickxpulling of the stake.

'After each'stake is pulled the braces 48 and 49 at the top of each stanchion are disconnected from their respective trusses. Each of the stanchions I'll may now be swung up into the position of Figure-4', "which action will take place as the roof and canopy are lowered to the ground. The canopy C is now removed, after which. the several truss sections are disassembled; This maybe accomplished as follows:

stretcher t4 is removed by disconnecting the notch 45 from the pin 46 at the peak end and raising the shaped plate 'ZTfrom the other end so that the "bolt 28 comes out of the recess 26 through theslot 25. The stretcher M. is also re moved in the same manner :by withdrawing the U-shaped plates 21 from the hinges which they encompass.

'Ih'e'pentral peak truss P may now be broken loose from 'the arch trusses A at each end by the same-type of operation and as there is .nolonger anything restraining the hinge connection-at the midpoint thereof, it may be folded into its compact form'ation. Each of the side trusses .6 is then'withdrawn from the anchoring plate 2'! at each end thereof in exactly the same manner. This frceseac'h of the side trusses S, whereupon it -'may* =be folded together as shown in Figure .8. The arch trusses A will alsobe freed and the sections thereof folded together as shown in oblige ure5.

' All o'f the various istrut elementsmalring up the roof may now be stored together in a compact manner' until their use isagain required.

1 Irrassembling the roof Ran operation which is substantially the :Ireverse' of that above described will be cariiied out.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore' set forth, it is to be clearlytunderstoodithat the invention is notto be limited to ithe exact constructions and devices illustratedfand 'd'e'scribed, because various modifi oationso'f thesezdetails ma'yibe provided inputting the invention into practice within the purview of the'appendedclaims. e

I. In'a sectional chapel'tent, the combination o'f-iasectionaltrussincluding two sections co'nnectediby aihingeijointincluding 'a .pair of leaves; a-secon-d truss :e'lement having :a ll-J -shaped iplate sponding end of the bottom rod l3;

A cross strut is shown at [8 as 'connecting the mid points of the rods I3 and'l5. One diagonal brace I9 extends from the bend I-6- to, the lower end of the strut I8, while another diagonal brace 20 extends from the top of the strut'IB to the lower end of the angle bar I4 and the free end of the rod I3. The connections between ttheseveral struts and braces may be accomplished in any preferred mannensuch as by welding.

Extending across .the bend H5, at anangle with respect to the vertical, is an anchoring member 2| which is employed fora purpose to belater described. This anchoring member takes-the form of a narrow plate which extends inwardly from one face of the section I I.

All of the structure above described in connection with section II is duplicated in section I2. Moreover, each of the angle bars I4 'at the inner or peak end of the sections has secured thereto one leaf of a hinge-which isdesignated generally H. r

This hinge H comprises'leaves Hand 23 -(see Figures 6 and 17) that are connected byapintle.

24 in a well known manner. :That portion of the leaf 22 adjacent the pintle issecured to the angle bar I4 of the section II-as by.welding, and the,

corresponding portion of theleaf '22 is secured to the angle bar I4 of the section I2 as bywelding. Thus, the sections II and I2 are hingedly connected together.. t

At this point it is deemed .well to describe" in detail certain construction of one of the hinges H. These hinges H are employed at various places throughout the roof structure R, and one of such hinges is shown in Figures 12 and 1'7.

Each of the leaves 22 and 23 is formed with a slot 25 which extends inwardly from the free edge of the plate and which is defined by diverging sides. This slot 25 communicates with a curved recess 26 formed at a point remote from the free edge.

When the leaves 22 and 23 are in meeting engagement the slots 25 and recesses 26 align. In order to hold the leaves and the hinge in this condition a U-shaped plate 21 is employed. This plate 21 has sides which are adapted to snugly embrace the leaves 22 and 23, and extending between these sides is a bolt 28 which is passed through the slot 25 so that it will rest in the recess 26. This bolt, in efiect, locks the plate 21 in position so as to prevent its withdrawal from the position in which it holds the leaves 22 and 23 in engagement.

These hinges and the U-shaped plate 21 are used at various places throughoutthe structure as will become apparent. I I

It will be noted that the leg ,I1 is continued down a short distance beyond the free end of the rod 13 and this end carriesan ear that'is designed to constitute one element of a pivotal connection shown at 2:9.

A stanchion 30 has an upper end formed with a complemental element of thepivotal connection 29 .and is joined to this section II by this connection 29. This stanchion 30 is adapted to be swung up into the position shownin Figure 4.

The stanchion 30 is duplicated at the free end of the section I2 and also for the arch truss at the opposite end of the roof structure, there being two of these arch trusses A as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the latter figure a centralpeak truss is referred to in its entirety ibyithe reference character P. This truss P comprises twosections 6. 3I and 32, which are of identical construction and which are joined together at their meeting ends by one of the hinges H.

Each of these sections 3| and 32 includes a bottom bar 33, top bar 34, a U-shaped plate 21 at the free end which joins the top and bottom bars, an angle bar I4 which joins the top. and bottom bars 33 and 34 at the point where the hinge is connected thereto, and diagonal braces 35 and 36.

As shown in Figure 6 the U-shaped plate 21 at the free end of the section 3| encompasses the leaves 22 and 23 of the hinge H at the central point of the arch truss A, and thus prevents any relative hinging movement between the sections II and I2, thereby imparting rigidity to the arch truss A at that end of the roof structure.

In exactly the same manner the free end of the section 32 carries a U-shaped plate 21 which cooperates with the hinge H thereat to hold the sections H and I2 of the arch truss A at that end against relative movement.

A side truss is shown in Figures 7 and 8 and designated generally at S. There are two of these side trusses S, one being located at each side of the roof structure R; Each side structure S comprises sections 31 and 38 which are hingedly connected by one of the hinges H.

Each of the sections 31 and 38 comprises a bottom bar 39, top bar 40, a U-shaped plate 21 at its free end and angle bar I4 at the end, which is joined to the hinge H, a cross strut M and diagonal :braces 42 and 43.

This construction is exactly duplicated in the section 38. It will be noted "that in the erected position the U-shaped plate 21 at the free end of each section 31 and 38 cooperates with the anchoring plate 2I thereat to establish the connection. Each of these anchoring plates 2I is formed with a slot 25 and recess 26 which receives the bolt '28 carried by the U-shaped plate 21. .1

Figure 8' shows one of the side trusses S in partly folded position and illustrates how the hinge joint opens to permit' the sections to be folded together. Referring now more particularly to'Figure 9 a stretcher is shown at 44' and takes the form of a rod which is designed to'-' assume the pitch of the arch trusses at each end.

The u'pperend of the rod 44 is formed with a notch 45 which is designed to receive a pin 45 (see Figure 13) which is carried by anextension at the upper end of one of the angle bars I4 on one of the peak truss sections-3| and 32. The other end of the stretcher 44 carries one of the U-shaped plates .21 which cooperates with the hinge H I'atthe' mid point'of one of the side trusses S in a manner heretofore described.

Thus, with the stretcher 44 in position the side truss S is rendered rigid as the sections 31 and 38 can not hinge with respect to one another.

lAnother stretcher is shown at 41 in Figure 10. Each-of the stretchers 44 and 41 carries one of the U-shaped plates21., The U-shaped plate 21 at the upper end cooperates with the hinge H at the central point of the peak truss P, while the U-shaped" plate 21 at the lower end cooperates with the hinge H of one-of the side trusses S in the manner heretofore described. Thus, with the stretcher 41 in positionboth the peak truss P and the other of the side trusses S are maintained rigid.

1' At this point it is deemed advisable to summarize the construction of.theroof-Rand indi cate the manner in which it may becollapsed.

snugly encompassing said leaves, and means for establishing an interlock between said U-shaped plate and said leaves.

2. In a sectional chapel tent, the combination of a sectional truss including two sections connected by a hinge joint including a pair of leaves, each of said leaves being formed with a recess and a slot communicating with said recess and the edge of said leaf, the recess and slot in one leaf aligning with the recess and slot in the other leaf when the sections of said truss are in an open position, a second truss, and a U-shaped plate on the end of said second truss encompassing said leaves, and a bolt carried by said U-shaped plate received in said slots and recesses.

3. In a chapel tent having four corner stanchions, means for anchoring the foot of each stanchion to the ground, and a roof structure supported from the upper end of said stanchions, said roof structure comprising a pair of spaced end arch trusses each of the two part sectional construction, a central peak truss of a two part sectional construction, a pair of spaced side trusses each of a two part sectional construction, the sectional parts of each'truss being connected by a hinge joint, and U-shaped plates on the ends of certain truss elements which are connected to notch receiving said pin, and a second stretcher v carrying a U-shaped plate receiving the leaves of said hinge joint.

CHARLES W. LEMEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 177,843 Hunt May 23, 1876' 1,475,857 Neuhaus Nov. 27, 1923 1,550,276 Nilson Aug. 18, 1925 1,958,296 Crow May 8, 1934 2,007,295 Coble July 9, 1935 2,151,908 Gottlieb Mar. 28, 1939 2,313,174 Shock Mar. 9, 1943 

